Klipriviersberg hike sparks hope for Eldorado Park teens
The hike was filled with adventure and teamwork which gave the youth a chance to connect with nature and one another while creating memories they will never forget.
On July 10, a group of young people from Eldorado Park took part in an inspiring 12km hike at the scenic Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, south of Johannesburg.
The excursion formed part of a special holiday programme run by local organisations, including Comeback Mission, From Gangs to Grace, Project Pick6, and the Eldorado Park Scouts.
The hike was filled with adventure and teamwork, which gave the youth a chance to connect with nature and one another while creating memories they will never forget.
The holiday programme was started by several community stakeholders who wanted to offer a positive alternative to gangsterism and substance abuse, which continues to affect many young people in many communities. The aim is to provide meaningful experiences that help the youth grow, develop new skills, and stay away from crime and violence.
“Many have prematurely written off the youth of Eldorado Park,” said Kester Fisher, one of the programme leaders. “They forget that without opportunities like the activities offered in our holiday programme, our children remain vulnerable to the social ills that plague our community.”
Fisher added: “As stakeholders, we cannot and will not sit back and wait for someone else to come and save our kids. We refuse to give up on them. We will work with what we have. We will create safe spaces, build skills, inspire dreams, and open doors – even if we have to knock them down ourselves. Because our children deserve better, and together, we will make sure they get it.”
The hike is just one of many activities planned in the coming weeks as the programme continues to support and uplift the youth.
